Originally, Schnauzers were developed to be all-around farm dogs. They were bred to chase away rodents and rabbits, which were common threats to stored grains and the fields. They worked without input from a human and instead, were sent to wander in fields and chase away pests as they came. In some cases, they were also used to guard farms against people and larger animals.
However, different-sized Schnauzers were bred for different purposes. The Miniature Schnauzer was more likely to be used as a ratter. The Standard Schnauzer was used for just about everything, even Red Cross jobs and police work. The Giant Schnauzer was bred to guard livestock and help drive them to market. Their size made them less able to chase away rats and rabbits, but they were quite effective at guarding.
The Emergence of the Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer was the original of the three Schnauzer sizes. They date back to the Middle Ages, when dogs similar to the modern breed were used to perform all sorts of household and farming tasks. Since they were all-around farming dogs, they had to perform a variety of services.
We don’t know exactly how these dogs came to be. It is likely that they were bred using a variety of other breeds, including the German Poodle and the German Pinscher. Different scholars have different suggestions. However, this canine was likely more useful in the winter due to their coat, which may be why they grew in popularity.
By the mid-19th century, this dog became more popular among German dog fanciers. They made many crosses with the breed, which eventually led to the creation of the three variants. It is also likely that other breeds have Schnauzer blood in them, as these dogs were likely used in many breeding lines.
This breed was not given their name until the turn of the century, when they were named after their prominent “mustache.” They were also standardized into a purebred dog and allowed to compete in dog shows, which were relatively new at the time. It took a while for the modern breed to emerge. However, the first evidence of this breed has them fairly similar to the one that we know today.
Unlike some other breeds, this one has not changed much in the modern era.
The Breed Becomes International
As the breed continued to flourish, they slowly found themselves spreading around the world. They were first imported into the United States around 1900. However, they were not imported in large numbers until WWI.
Even so, these dogs are not bred extensively in the United States and have not become that popular. Therefore, they are usually only bred by those who are extremely passionate about the breed. Often, the puppies are not bred explicitly for pet purposes but for the furthering of the breed.
In 1925, the Schnauzer Club of America was formed. However, it quickly split into two groups in 1933—one for Standard Schnauzers and another for Miniature Schnauzers. The standards set for both breeds have varied throughout the years.
Now there are about eight different regional Schnauzer clubs throughout the country. Most of these provide plenty of help to new owners. Many even keep records of breeders, making it far easier to find a dog to adopt.
Conclusion
The Schnauzer is an old dog. However, their history does not feature the twists and turns that breeds usually take. For the most part, these dogs have been used as versatile working dogs throughout the centuries—from small medieval farms to WWI Red Cross stations.
The Standard Schnauzer was the first breed, but then they were quickly separated into three different breeds. The actual name and standard for the dog came quite late in their history. However, the older versions looked and acted quite similarly to the new ones. So, this breed has not changed much over the years.
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Featured Image Credit: Eve Photography, Shutterstock
